Infertility is a deeply personal and often challenging journey. In the United States, about 9% of men and 11% of women experience infertility issues.
Jillian Lavoie has worked for 15 years at Freedom Fertility By Evernorth, the nation's leading provider of fertility specialty pharmacy services, where she is a manager of physician engagement. When she began working at the organization, little did she know that she would become a Freedom Fertility patient navigating the complexities of infertility.
“Freedom Fertility is a pharmacy that specializes in fertility only,” Jillian explained. “This was a very intense journey for my husband and me. Having a pharmacy that understood our specific condition and offered support throughout the treatment was extremely important.”
Discovering genetic challenges
Jillian and her husband Andy started trying to conceive in September 2018. After nine months of trying, she experienced a miscarriage. In September 2019, they decided to consult a reproductive endocrinologist.
During their initial consultations, Jillian and her husband underwent extensive testing, including genetic screening. To their surprise, they discovered that they were both carriers of the same rare genetic disease, called methylmalonic aciduria homocystinuria, cobalamin type C. This information added a new layer of complexity to the couple’s fertility journey. They met with a genetic counselor who explained the implications of the disease and the statistical chances of their future children being affected.
As they prepared to move forward with fertility treatments, the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. IVF clinics across the country shut down, putting their plans on hold. While they waited for clinics to reopen, Jillian focused on preparing for the next steps, which included preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene disorders (PGT-M).
This specialized process ensures that embryos used in IVF do not carry genetic disease.
IVF and embryo testing
Jillian began the IVF process in June 2020. Out of nine eggs retrieved, eight fertilized, resulting in six embryos. These embryos were sent to a lab for genetic testing to ensure they did not carry the genetic disease. At the end of this testing, the couple were left with four viable embryos.
The first embryo transfer took place in October of that year, but unfortunately, it did not result in a pregnancy. This was a devastating blow for Jillian and her husband, but they remained hopeful. They tried again in December 2020, using a different medication protocol. The transfer was successful, and Jillian became pregnant. Today, she and Andy have a healthy 3½-year-old son.
The importance of awareness and advocacy
Jillian's story highlights the importance of awareness and advocacy in the realm of infertility. She emphasized that many people struggle in silence, not realizing how common infertility issues are. By sharing her experience, Jillian hopes to encourage others to seek help and feel comfortable discussing their struggles.
This article was created with the assistance of AI tools. It was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Evernorth’s editorial team and subject matter experts.
